Copyright 2006 Essex Chronicle
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Essex Chronicle (Essex, England)
Stab proof vests have been issued to all frontline Essex ambulance crews to help protect them from violent attacks.
Essex has become the second ambulance service in Britain to issue the equipment to all staff, at a cost of around £400,000.
The decision was taken after safety issues were raised by Essex crews working on the outskirts of London. It was not uncommon for them to be working at incidents where crews from London Ambulance Service wore stab vests.
The vests issued to around 700 personnel in Essex will give them protection from hand guns, knives and spikes such as hypodermic needles and even stiletto heels. A slash proof collar can be pulled up when staff are working on a patient on the ground.
Anthony Marsh, chief executive of Essex Ambulance Service said: “Unfortunately, our crews are having to put up with an increase in violence and verbal abuse. We have not had a member of staff stabbed, but they have been kicked, headbutted, punched and spat at.
“Only this weekend a crew in Harlow were threatened by a man wielding a knife when they were called to a woman suffering from an overdose. Fortunately, the crew were able to get into their vehicle and leave the scene without injury.
“It is totally unacceptable that our staff should have to put up with any abuse. They are in the business of saving lives and helping people with medical problems.
“The NHS has a zero tolerance policy towards physical abuse and we will bring the full weight of the law to bear on anyone who abuses or assaults our staff.
“I would much rather have seen the cost of providing the vests spent elsewhere, but ultimately we need to ensure that staff feel, and are, as safe as possible.”